SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS RAGWORT (Packera franciscana)
STATUS: Threatened (48 FR 52743, November 22, 1983) with critical habitat.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION: This member of the sunflower family is a dwarf alpine species 3.1-10.2 cm (1.2-4.0 in) tall. Leaves are deeply lobed, with upper leaves smaller than lower leaves. Flower heads (clusters) are 0.89-1.3 cm (0.35-0.5 in) wide and are composed of 1-6 yellow-gold flowers.
HABITAT: Alpine tundra above southwestern spruce-fir or bristlecone pine forests on talus slopes above 3,300 m (10,900 ft) elevation.
RANGE: Current: San Francisco Peaks, Coconino County. Critical habitat includes three alpine areas of Coconino National Forest. Potential: No other localities for this species are expected to occur.
REASONS FOR DECLINE/VULNERABILITY: This species is vulnerable to threats due to its very restricted habitat. Threats include trampling by hikers, trail building, and ski area development. However, global climate change is likely this alpine tundra dependent species greatest potential threat.
LAND MANAGEMENT/OWNERSHIP: Coconino National Forest.
NOTES: The Recovery Plan for the San Francisco Peaks Ragwort was completed in October 1987 and is available in hardcopy from our Flagstaff SubOffice.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a 5-year status review for this species April 23, 2007.
We are currently working with the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station to: 1) establish a statistically robust, baseline population size estimate for the entire mountain and within the San Francisco Peaks Recreation Natural Area; 2) determine elevation of treeline and the SF Peaks ragwort population centroid to allow early detection of altitudinal migration; 3) provide much needed data for the five-year species status review, management responses, and revision of the 20-year old Recovery Plan.